Mexico Insights: Facts, Figures, Folklore &amp; Fiestas - Flora & Fauna, Climate & Naturefrom the Editor of Living at Lake Chapalahttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/
http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specificationBlogEngine.NET 1.6.0.0en-UShttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/opml.axdhttp://www.dotnetblogengine.net/syndication.axdJudy KingMexico Insights: Facts, Figures, Folklore &amp; Fiestas0.0000000.000000Queen of the Night<p><b><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Lorraine's%20flowers%20017.jpg"><img title="Lorraine&#39;s flowers 017" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="330" alt="Lorraine&#39;s flowers 017" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Lorraine's%20flowers%20017_thumb.jpg" width="232" align="right" border="0" /></a>Queen of the Night</b> <br />Even without a regal name, you'd know that the Queen of the Night, the night-blooming cereus, is the sovereign of this area's list of stunning, fragrant white flowers. </p> <p>While all of the fragrant white night-blooming plants here are worthy of royal attention, <i>Reina de la Noche</i> (Queen of the Night) is certainly appropriately named. Few other plants in the world produce blooms that can compete with the style, form, scent, or drama of these fragrant, once-a-year giant white flowers. </p> <p>Because each flower opens and closes in the dark of one night, few expatriates have witnessed the flowers on the sprawling, ordinary-looking plant that drapes over walls, rocks, or trees. </p> <p>It takes a few seasons to learn the pattern of this plant's blooms. Be careful, you could miss the flowers entirely during your first year or two at Lake Chapala. </p> <p> When you notice that one of the buds begins swelling, be sure to go back and check the plant every hour or so, all evening long. Sometime between eight p.m. and midnight, you'll be calling the entire family and part of the neighborhood to come watch the final hour when this huge bloom opens bit by bit, just like a Discovery Channel freeze-frame documentary film. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Lorraine's%20flowers%20008.jpg"><img title="Lorraine&#39;s flowers 008" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="215" alt="Lorraine&#39;s flowers 008" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Lorraine's%20flowers%20008_thumb.jpg" width="309" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Lorraine's%20flowers%20010.jpg"><img title="Lorraine&#39;s flowers 010" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="214" alt="Lorraine&#39;s flowers 010" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Lorraine's%20flowers%20010_thumb.jpg" width="291" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>(Above:) <em> When the buds have swollen to this point, know the flower will open that very night.</em></p> <p>Beginning in April, the first several flowers open on the Hylocereus undatus, which is better known in the United States as the night-blooming cereus. Early in the blooming season, one of the glorious flowers opens each night. If you are lucky enough to have a Queen of the Night in your garden, let your friends know that you'll call them in time to come see the flowers open on the night of the plant's annual grand finale.</p> <p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Lorraine's%20flowers%20030.jpg"><img title="Lorraine&#39;s flowers 030" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 90px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="292" alt="Lorraine&#39;s flowers 030" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Lorraine's%20flowers%20030_thumb.jpg" width="209" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Lorraine's%20flowers%20023.jpg"><img title="Lorraine&#39;s flowers 023" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="289" alt="Lorraine&#39;s flowers 023" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Lorraine's%20flowers%20023_thumb.jpg" width="212" border="0" /></a>&#160; </p> <p> There's usually one magnificent night in late April or early May when a half dozen or more of the eight- to ten-inch white flowers come into full bloom. Most of us who have relocated to Lakeside are usually sound asleep long before midnight, but it's well worth the effort to join in a flower watch — you won’t see much the following morning -- soon after the first rays of morning sun, the flowers fold up and fade away. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Lorraine's%20flowers%20041.jpg"><img title="Lorraine&#39;s flowers 041" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 20px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="292" alt="Lorraine&#39;s flowers 041" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Lorraine's%20flowers%20041_thumb.jpg" width="348" align="left" border="0" /></a>&#160;<em>(Left:) This plant produced 10 lemon-scented, eight-inch blooms on one memorable night</em></p> <p>Break out a bottle of Champagne to toast a life that brings you to this moment, to this sight, and the lemony fragrance spreading through the neighborhood. </p> <p>A larger tropical variety of the plant is found in the southern Mexico states of Oaxaca and Vera Cruz. Epiphyllum oxypetalum has many of the characteristics of Reina de la Noche.&#160; An ordinary-looking plant, it is distinguished only by its long leaves during most of the year. It earns the title <i>Dama de Noche</i> (Lady of the Night) on the one night of the year when it bursts forth with 100 or more 10- to 14-inch blooms. </p>http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Queen-of-the-Night.aspx
JudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Queen-of-the-Night.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=9da72043-7bf5-46b6-b3a1-9e9bb36c831fMon, 20 Sep 2010 18:41:59 -0500Flora & Fauna, Climate & NatureHomes & Gardens, Rentals & LodgingJudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/pingback.axdhttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=9da72043-7bf5-46b6-b3a1-9e9bb36c831f3934http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/trackback.axd?id=9da72043-7bf5-46b6-b3a1-9e9bb36c831fhttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Queen-of-the-Night.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/syndication.axd?post=9da72043-7bf5-46b6-b3a1-9e9bb36c831fLiving at Lake Chapala’s August Issue<p><b>Wow, it’s the First Day of this year’s EIGHTH month!&#160; <br /></b>I can barely believe that this month marks the three-quarters mark of 2010. We are having another great year here at <a href="http://mexico-insights.com" target="_blank"><strong><font color="#0000ff">Living at Lake Chapala</font></strong></a>. In fact, nine members of our writing team has been out gathering information for our all new August issue. We've prepared a little bit of everything this month — take a look at this summary of our new articles. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=image_21.png"><img title="image" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 25px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="195" alt="image" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=image_thumb_19.png" width="271" align="left" border="0" /></a> <b>A Sailor Run Aground </b></p> <p>Jim Tipton is introducing you to one of his very good friends in this month's <strong>Community Article</strong>. If you've not yet met Ken and Lise Clarke, you'll want to after you read about how this Lakeside couple met aboard ship and fell instantly head over heels in love. This is a love story with lasting power — when they reached dry land, they raised a family and then moved to Lakeside for retirement — and so Ken could write his story of the years at sea. </p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Mexico's Traditional Music</strong> </p> <p>Mexico is a land of eternal music — it's part of the lifestyle — it's part of life. What's Mexico's most popular music? That, like most things in this land of contrasts, depends. There are those who would vote for orchestras playing classical music, or for classic rock and roll. More traditionally, you'd have a giant pile of votes for <i>mariachi</i> — that smooth blend of violins, guitars and trumpets. Earning just as much (or more) devotion from residents in central and northern Mexico would be the <i>bandas</i> — the groups of trumpets, trombones, clarinets, and percussion that play a type of music that sounds a little like a sharply uniformed military brass marching band colliding with The Six Fat Dutchmen Polka Band. </p> <p><img style="display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 95px" height="300" alt="" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/Articles/201008/images/Editor6-kids.jpg" width="224" align="left" /> <img style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 45px" height="300" alt="" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/Articles/201008/images/Editor6-poster.jpg" width="225" /> <br />(Left:) A youthful group of musicians — a <em>banda </em>plays traditional music on the Ajijic plaza. (Right:) Bandas of all levels of fame and popularity perform in Lakeside's villages. This group came from a nearby town to play in an Ajijic club on July 17. The big name groups come to town for the annual fiesta and during mardi gras. </p> <p>As Micki Wendt explains in this month's <strong>Out and About</strong> column, this isn't all about John Phillip Sousa, and it's not about Lawrence (a-one and a-two) Welk (but it helps if you were in your high school marching band and lived in the upper Midwest near a German or Polish population.) <i>Banda</i> music is a Mexican hybrid, and it's the love of the nation. </p> <p>You may not think you know <i>banda</i>, but you've heard it — the bad, the ok, the good, and the really good. You're apt to hear it every time you pass a construction site or wait at a stop light behind a car with a throbbing stereo, or hear the marching band marching around town at 7 a.m. during fiesta. So far you've probably been more annoyed than in love, but give this article and the links to some professional videos a chance…you may be surprised! </p> <p><img height="225" alt="" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/Articles/201008/images/Editor8-white.jpg" width="300" /> <img height="225" alt="" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/Articles/201008/images/Editor9-aqua.jpg" width="300" /> <br />Mexican banda members are snappy dressers. (Left:) This Chapala group was performing right outside the municipal building one evening — all in white and that shade of hot pink that here is called Rosa Mexicana. (Right:) Ajijic's Banda Incomparable was sporting new suits at last year's fiesta — their logo is embroidered on the back of the jackets.</p> <p><strong>Really Great Karma and&#160; A Cookbook for a Cause </strong></p> <p>We're fixated this month on great food prepared by sets of Mexican sisters with great ideas and big hearts. First in the <strong>Mexican Kitchen</strong>, Harriet Hart is visiting a new restaurant on Calle Hidalgo in Ajijc which is owned and operated by Margarita and Rocio del Castillo. These vegetarian sisters recently moved from their home town — Guadalajara — and opened one of the cutest lunch spots in town — Buen Karma. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=image_22.png"><img title="image" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 30px 0px 50px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="214" alt="image" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=image_thumb_20.png" width="258" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=image_23.png"><img title="image" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="215" alt="image" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=image_thumb_21.png" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Then former mental health professional Carol Bowman interviewed a trio of Guadalajara women — the Levy sisters — who have turned their skills in the kitchen into a cookbook (written in Spanish) and then turned the cookbook into a fundraising tool with proceeds going toward their pet project — a mental health center in Jalisco's capital city. You'll enjoy meeting the Levy sisters and learning about their favorite non-profit in this month's <strong>Health and Safety</strong> column. </p> <p><strong>The New Expat Radio Station for English Speakers</strong></p> <p>Then Judy is bringing you something very new — online radio for expats! Yep, Amigo Rodrigo is spinning American music on a 24-hour-a-day radio station — along with Mexican news and weather <i>in English</i>, Spanish vocabulary words and other specialty bits of information — and you can listen to it all on your computer. It couldn't be easier. Catch up with all of this in the <strong>Feature Article</strong>. </p> <p><b>Back to School (Times Two) and Attending the Ballet&#160; <br /></b>What fun, we've devoted two slots this month to how foreigners at Lakeside get involved in the community, and take on some or all of the school expenses for slightly overwhelmed local families. While there are a dozen or more groups and organizations who are creating scholarships to pay the expenses so local kids can continue to attend classes — from Kinder through Grad School — our Cost of Living and Soul of Mexico columns tell how individuals are making a difference here at Lake Chapala. </p> <p>First up Georgina Russell is back, this time in our <strong>Cost of Living</strong> slot explaining how she administers a fund for area kids. Who started this fund and this program? A trio of New York kids who were visiting their relatives at Lakeside! Now the US kids come back every year to see how the money they've raised in their home town and New York schools is being put to use here. </p> <p><img style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px" height="225" alt="" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/Articles/201008/images/Editor10-grads.jpg" width="296" /> <img height="225" alt="" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/Articles/201008/images/Editor11-ballet.jpg" width="304" /> <br />(Left:) One of the special joys of being a sponsor to a Lakeside student is being included in graduations, programs and special school events. (Right:) The ballet at Lake Chapala? You bet. And Scott Richards enjoyed it all – see his report in this month’s <strong>People, Places and Things</strong>.</p> <p>Then long-time Lakeside resident, Phyllis Rauch explains how she and her late husband became involved in helping to educate the members of a family in their village of Nestipac. While Phyllis dreamed at first of &quot;their kids&quot; becoming doctors, lawyers and engineers, she reflects on how it's all worked out in real life and beautifully illustrates the <strong>Soul of Mexico</strong> piece with photos of her current (and we suspect her favorite) student Daniela. </p> <p><strong>Saving the Wild Orchids</strong></p> <p>Artist Janice Kimball delves into the world of Mexican wild orchids this month in our <strong>Homes and Lodging</strong> column. You'll enjoy her story of how she came to fall in love with these tender exotic beauties — years ago in the middle of an all-too-long Detroit winter. Now she's on a soapbox, helping us learn to protect the wild orchids from area mountains — and best of all she tells us where to find lovely, not-endangered, plants in local nurseries. </p> <p><img style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 100px" height="300" alt="" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/Articles/201008/images/Editor12-orchid.jpg" width="225" /> <img style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px" height="300" alt="" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/Articles/201008/images/Editor13-girl.jpg" width="214" /> <br />(Left:) These lavender beauties were once wild orchids in the Jalisco mountains above Lake Chapala. They've been blooming on a tree in Ajijic now for nearly 15 years. (Right:) Leave the wild orchids to bloom for another year in the mountains. Local nurseries have a lovely selection of hybrid orchids at very reasonable prices. </p> <p><strong>Planning for Singles</strong></p> <p>And to wrap up the issue, Judy is exploring some tips for singles living at Lakeside. It's just so important to form a support group and then finalize some of the necessary plans so that your friends will easily be able to help your children should you be recovering from illness or surgery and when you die. Look for this so very important information in the <b>Getting Here</b> space.</p> <p><strong>Are you a</strong> <a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/gen/subscribe.aspx" target="_blank"><strong><font color="#ff0080">Living at Lake Chapala Subscriber</font></strong></a><strong><font color="#ff0080">?</font></strong> </p> <p>That’s our rundown this month – and now, while you read these pieces we are already working on our Big Blowout Bicentennial Celebration for the September issue of <a href="http://mexico-insights.com" target="_blank"><strong><font color="#0000ff">Living at Lake Chapala</font></strong></a>. We’d love to have you become one of our family of subscribers and we’re betting you’ll love reading the very best online magazine about life in Mexico. Did we mention that subscribers have access to on-line support – we’re always here to answer your email questions! What a deal that is! </p>http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Living-at-Lake-Chapalae28099s-August-Issue.aspx
JudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Living-at-Lake-Chapalae28099s-August-Issue.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=c2613d1d-c297-4985-991e-057804960fb4Sun, 01 Aug 2010 15:14:22 -0500Living at Lake ChapalaCosts, Shopping & MarketsFamily Traditions & Events, Machismo & Kids FAQS - What You Need To KnowFlora & Fauna, Climate & NatureGetting Here, Moving and DrivingHealth & Safety - Tips and PitfallsHomes & Gardens, Rentals & LodgingMexican Fiestas & Holidays, Music & DanceMexico Kitchen - Recipes, Foods & RestaurantsPeople, Places & Things of Lake ChapalaJudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/pingback.axdhttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=c2613d1d-c297-4985-991e-057804960fb42410http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/trackback.axd?id=c2613d1d-c297-4985-991e-057804960fb4http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Living-at-Lake-Chapalae28099s-August-Issue.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/syndication.axd?post=c2613d1d-c297-4985-991e-057804960fb4Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head<p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Rain%20Garbage%20Bag%20Rain%20Gear.jpg"><img title="Rain Garbage Bag Rain Gear" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="341" alt="Rain Garbage Bag Rain Gear" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Rain%20Garbage%20Bag%20Rain%20Gear_thumb.jpg" width="214" align="left" border="0" /></a>For some reason, I’ve been thinking a lot about rain lately –&#160; maybe that’s because we’ve received about 20” of rainfall since the rainy season started six weeks ago – about 60% of our annual average rainfall. </p> <p>So far, I’ve been as cheerful as Gene Kelly about our soggy summer, I’ve not been singing and dancing in the rain, but the mountains are wondrously green, the lake is rising – on course for a 30-year high point . </p> <p>My garden has never looked better…but…unlike Julie Andrews, I’m not cooing about “raindrops on roses” being one of my favorite things. </p> <p>Think about it, it’s rained 24 of the 28 days this month – and on most of those days, it’s rained in daylight hours contrary to claims you may have read on other websites that it only rains at night here in paradise. </p> <p>Those claims are fairly accurate – in times of normal weather patterns. It’s when tropical storms and hurricanes start circling their warm, moist air into our region, the blue&#160; skies darken and we move into cycles of gray days and hours of gentle, steady rainfall. It’s enough, as Elvis said, to have “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.”</p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=28July8am.jpg"><img title="28July8am" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="322" alt="28July8am" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=28July8am_thumb.jpg" width="402" align="right" border="0" /></a> <strong>Those Tropical Storms and Hurricanes </strong></p> <p>As Alex and Bonnie have moved up the Atlantic/Gulf Coasts and Celia,&#160; Darby and Estelle have pushed rain to us from the Pacific Coast this month, I’ve had plenty of indoor computer time. </p> <p>I’ve been following the tropical storms on <a href="http://www.weather.com/maps/news/augustnonactive/mexicosatellite_large.html" target="_blank"><strong>The Weather Channel</strong></a> link on <a href="http://Amigo">Amigo</a> Rodrigo’s online radio station at <a href="http://KMEXRadio.FM" target="_blank"><strong>KMEXRadio.FM</strong></a><strong>.</strong> It’s easy to spot the oddly shaped state of Jalisco – it forms that prominent bump on the Pacific Coast and then reaches inland to our location at 5,000 feet on the north shore of Lake Chapala. </p> <p>Be sure to click on the animate (Weather in Motion) button under the map to see what those clouds have been doing the past few hours. For example,&#160; the map above is the still shot at for 8:17 a.m. EDT (7:17 a.m. Chapala Time). When you animate the scene, you see the storm cells that produced the .75” we received between Midnight and dawn…and you can see how that large series of cells to the south at 7 a.m. is moving into our zone toward midday. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=editor4-rain.jpg"><img title="editor4-rain" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 25px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="253" alt="editor4-rain" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=editor4-rain_thumb.jpg" width="371" align="left" border="0" /></a>I’ve also been taking some sort of perverse pleasure in checking the website for the <a href="http://chapalaweather.net/" target="_blank"><strong>private weather station</strong></a> in Riberas de Pilar – several times a day – just to see how much rain we’ve received. I must not be alone, the owner of the site reports 6,000 visitors last Sunday!</p> <p> Rather than to start “Crying in the Rain” like the Everly Brothers, “Walking in the Rain” with Johnny Ray,&#160; or complaining, “Oh No, Don’t Let the Rain Come Down” with the Serendipity Singers, I’ve been enjoying some extra time curled up some favorite books, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Gold-V%C3%ADctor-E-Villase%C3%B1or/dp/038531177X/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1280331317&amp;sr=1-27" target="_blank"><strong><em>Rain of Gold</em></strong></a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/House-Rain-Tracking-Civilization-Southwest/dp/0316067547/ref=sr_1_35?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1280331317&amp;sr=1-35" target="_blank"><strong><em>House of Rain</em></strong></a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rain-God-Arturo-Islas/dp/0380763931/ref=sr_1_76?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1280331627&amp;sr=1-76" target="_blank"><strong><em>The Rain God</em></strong></a> as I “Listen to the Rhythm of the Falling Rain” (Donavan). </p> <p>One recent “Day That the Rain Came Down” (Jane Morgan) I spent watching some old movies, <em>The</em> <em>Rainmaker</em>, <em>Rain Man, </em>and two movies titled <em>Rain -- </em>one with Faye Dunaway and one with Joan Crawford. </p> <p><strong>&#160; <br />Are there really 800 Songs about Rain?</strong></p> <p>A little research showed me that while there are only about 100 movies with the word rain in the title, there are more than <a href="http://www.lacarte.org/songs/rain/" target="_blank"><strong>eight hundred songs about rain</strong></a> – some with lyrics of note for our lives this month:</p> <p><strong><strong>&#160;<a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=DSC00782.jpg"><img title="DSC00782" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="211" alt="DSC00782" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=DSC00782_thumb.jpg" width="280" align="right" border="0" /></a>&#160; “</strong>Rain Rain” (Cher)</strong></p> <p>Rain, Rain in the sky <br />Everywhere I look my eyes see <br />Rain, rain fallin' down <br />Crying as it hits the ground</p> <p><strong>“Eastern Rain” (Joni Mitchell)</strong></p> <p>Rain comes from the east one night <br />We watch it come <br />To hang like beaded curtains <br />Till the morning sun <br />Water dripping from our clothes <br />You with raindrops on your nose <br />Ask me sadly please don’t go away now.</p> <p><b><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=DSC00902.jpg"><img title="DSC00902" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="213" alt="DSC00902" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=DSC00902_thumb.jpg" width="278" align="right" border="0" /></a> “The Late September Dogs” (Melissa Ethridge)</b></p> <p>Come on let it rain <br />Let it rain down on me <br />Let the rain touch my hands <br />Let the rain set me free <br />Let it rain down on me</p> <p><b>“The Rain” (</b><b>Will Smith)</b></p> <p>The little rain drops fallin’ down on me <br />But I can’t seem to feel it, feel it <br />Feel it coming over me</p> <p><strong><b><strong><strong><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=editor3-garcia.jpg"><img title="editor3-garcia" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 25px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="250" alt="editor3-garcia" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=editor3-garcia_thumb.jpg" width="328" align="left" border="0" /></a></strong></strong></b>Keep your Eye on Mount Garcia</strong></p> <p>“Can you Stand the Rain?” (Boys ii Men)&#160; We’re still loving life here at Lake Chapala, “Come Rain or Come Shine” (Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Bette Midler). </p> <p>Still….we’re keeping an eye on Lake Chapala’s south shore peak, Mount Garcia to see if it’s still shrouded in clouds. </p> <p>You see local lore says that when Sr. Garcia puts on his sombrero, you’ll know it’s going to rain. Seems like all month he’s had it pulled down to his eyebrows. </p> <p><strong><em>Meanwhile, we’re wondering …</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Who Will Stop the Rain (Credence Clearwater Revival)</strong> </p> <p>Heard the singers playin’, how we cheered for more. <br />The crowd had rushed together, tryin’ to keep warm. <br />Still the rain kept pourin’, fallin’ on my ears. <br />And I wonder, still I wonder who’ll stop the rain.</p>http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Raindrops-Keep-Falling-on-My-Head.aspx
JudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Raindrops-Keep-Falling-on-My-Head.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=863211be-7a00-4008-915e-038dcd5e8550Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:12:15 -0500Books, Activities, Events & What People Do All DayFlora & Fauna, Climate & NatureFAQS - What You Need To KnowJudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/pingback.axdhttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=863211be-7a00-4008-915e-038dcd5e85501426http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/trackback.axd?id=863211be-7a00-4008-915e-038dcd5e8550http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Raindrops-Keep-Falling-on-My-Head.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/syndication.axd?post=863211be-7a00-4008-915e-038dcd5e8550Daytime Drizzle & Rain – Is That Legal at Lakeside?<p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=rain-garden.jpg"><img title="rain-garden" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 20px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="313" alt="rain-garden" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=rain-garden_thumb.jpg" width="233" align="left" border="0" /></a> It’s noon here at Lake Chapala and it’s raining, pouring, actually these last 10 minutes or so. </p> <p>I know, I know, someone told you it only rained here at night…before you start trying to send a sizzling email to city hall or the chamber of commerce, or to me for that matter, let me explain.</p> <p>Most of our June – October rainy season, that’s a true statement. After a comfortable, sunshiny day, the clouds bank up, roll in and either around 7:30 or in the wee hours of the night, the thunder and lightening commences and then the heavens open to let the rain pour down . We sleep like babes – the temperature is cool enough to need a blanket and there’s that comforting sound of raindrops on the roof. </p> <p>SO, What’s the Deal Today?</p> <p>About the only time we have clouds, rain, thunder, drizzle or other “weather” in daylight hours is when a tropical storm is working on either the Atlantic or Pacific coasts – pushing masses of humidity ahead of their huge systems. When that warm moist beach air is driven by the seasonal storms over the mountain ranges, the air cools, the water condenses and well – it rains – in the daylight – in front of God, tourists and everybody.</p> <p>In this region of Mexico where a weatherman (in any language) is as hard to find as larger size clothes and shoes, how are you supposed to know when these systems are moving our way? </p> <p>I’m glad you asked. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=MexicoSat_4-300x202.jpg"><img title="MexicoSat_4-300x202" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="387" alt="MexicoSat_4-300x202" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=MexicoSat_4-300x202_thumb.jpg" width="469" align="right" border="0" /></a> To keep track of tropical systems that are building, on the move, increasing in power, diminishing, or just plain stalled and funneling warm moist air into our area, bookmark this <a href="http://www.weather.com/maps/news/augustnonactive/mexicosatellite_large.html" target="_blank"><strong>Weather Channel Map</strong></a> – it shows current storms heading for Mexico. </p> <p>How do you locate Lake Chapala and our state of Jalisco on this map? The coastal portion of Jalisco is most of that widest bump on the west (left) coast – then it extends inland – to the north east (up and to the right). That’s where we are!</p> <p>Thankfully this morning the warnings and watches for this system -- Tropical Storm Blass were diminished – backing the category of the storm back to a Tropical Depression. </p> <p>Still, though there’s a good chance that we’ll continue to see rain – at night and even in the daytime – for the next few days. As you can see by this map, updated at 1:18 p.m. Lakeside time, there’s still a considerable amount of activity in this system – look at all of those orange and red areas indicating stronger cells. </p> <p>I’m no meteorologist, but I’ve seen enough weather maps to predict that there’s more weather heading our way for the next few days. You can bet that we’ll have rain for as long as those orange and red spots are moving our way. That little downpour at noon was the effect of that “L” shaped small cell that you can see right over our area. Looks like there is much heavier rain to come. </p> <p><strong> Guadalajara’s Weather is Different </strong></p> <p>By the way, if you are visiting family north of the border or not yet moved here, don’t depend on the typical online temperature boxes – you know the ones – you can put on your home page and you see them on some of the Mexico-based websites. They show the high and low temperature for “Chapala,&quot; and sometimes a three or five-day weather forecast. </p> <p>The truth is that most of those services are actually putting the numbers registered on thermometers and rain gauges in Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque or the airport under the “Chapala” heading. </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=rain-street.jpg"><img title="rain-street" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="221" alt="rain-street" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=rain-street_thumb.jpg" width="321" align="right" border="0" /></a></strong>That’ll give you a false impression for sure. Giant Lake Chapala at 55 miles long and 11 miles wide has a distinct effect on the weather here. Our hot season (April, May and early June) temperatures run 8 – 15 degrees cooler than Guadalajara. In the winter cold time (Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day) the lake works its magic to keep us from being Guadalajara’s low temperatures – easily 10 degrees colder than we register here.</p> <p>SO, how can you know what our REAL weather is like? Bookmark the local weather site, <a href="http://chapalaweather.net" target="_blank"><strong>Chapala Weather</strong></a>.&#160; You’ll find an entire weather system at your fingertips, with none of the problems. You don’t even have to empty the rain gauge. Plus, this weather-obsessed resident of Riberas del Pilar (between San Antonio Tlayacapan and Chapala even has the stats you love to know – how much did it rain last night, what’ the year’s high and low temps, and how do they compare to last year’s hottest and coldest times, what percentage of this year’s rain has fallen, what’s the humidity, what’s the barometer doing. </p> <p>Good Grief, he’s even keeping track of the dew point and the wind gust speeds. Everything you wanted to know about Lake Chapala’s weather, all in one handy spot – and it’s accurate! </p> <p>Now that we know that this is going to be the way of the world for the next couple of days, I think I’ll head for the couch and alternate watching movies on my new TV and reading.&#160; Popcorn anyone?&#160; </p>http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Daytime-Drizzle-Rain-e28093-Is-That-Legal-at-Lakeside.aspx
JudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Daytime-Drizzle-Rain-e28093-Is-That-Legal-at-Lakeside.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=d7a2ea3f-80c4-47e1-8c3d-f39a72f0b6f5Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:29:51 -0500Flora & Fauna, Climate & NatureLiving at Lake ChapalaJudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/pingback.axdhttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=d7a2ea3f-80c4-47e1-8c3d-f39a72f0b6f547http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/trackback.axd?id=d7a2ea3f-80c4-47e1-8c3d-f39a72f0b6f5http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Daytime-Drizzle-Rain-e28093-Is-That-Legal-at-Lakeside.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/syndication.axd?post=d7a2ea3f-80c4-47e1-8c3d-f39a72f0b6f5Looking for the Rabbit in the Moon<p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Soul3moon.jpg"><em><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Soul3moon_1.jpg"><img title="Soul3-moon" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 20px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="229" alt="Soul3-moon" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=Soul3moon_thumb.jpg" width="280" align="left" border="0" /></a></em></a><em>&#160;</em>This week, like every month, it is the time of the Rabbit Moon. There’s a full moon on May 27 – the last several nights have been bright enough to cast shadows in my Ajijic garden. </p> <p>Since the days of the ancients, when the residents of this great country have gazed at the moon, they’ve seen not the face of a grinning man – they’ve studied the profile form of a great rabbit. </p> <p>Aztec legends of the creation of mythology’s second and fifth sun gods Nanahuatzin and Tecciztecatl relate how they became the sun and moon. </p> <p>The story tells of the brave and noble sacrifice of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanahuatzin">Nanahuatzin</a> during the creation of the fifth sun. Humble Nanahuatzin easily and willingly sacrificed himself in fire to become the new sun. </p> <p>The wealthy Tecciztecatl, proud and ambitious, is consumed by fear until after hesitating four times, pride forces him to follow Nanahuatzin’s example by jumping into a vast pyre. Both rise as suns, but due to Tecciztecatl's cowardice, the gods felt that the moon should not be as bright as the sun, so one of the gods threw a rabbit at his face to diminish his light. Some versions of this story tell that Tecciztecatl was in the form of a rabbit when he sacrificed himself and so forever casts the shadow of a rabbit. across the night’s dimmer “sun.&quot;</p> <p><strong>Another version – with Quetzalcoatl, the Plumed Serpent </strong></p> <p>There’s another legend in Mexican folklore, one a little more akin to the legends and myths we know and recount. This story also evolves from pre-Hispanic legends, and it tells of a time when the great god of the Sun, the Plumed Serpent Quetzalcoatl lived on Earth as a man. </p> <p>One time so long ago that no one is left to remember, he started on a difficult journey. After walking for a long time, he became hungry and tired. </p> <p>With no food or water around, he thought he would die. Then, a rabbit grazing nearby offered himself as food to save the God’s life. </p> <p>Quetzalcoatl, moved by the rabbit's noble offering, elevated the rabbit to the moon, then lowered him back to Earth, and told him, &quot;You may be just a rabbit, but everyone will remember you; there is your image in light, for all men and for all times.&quot; And so it was and so it has been. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=rabbit.jpg"><img title="rabbit" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 15px 5px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="rabbit" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=rabbit_thumb.jpg" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a><strong>The Rabbit is in the moon for all men and all times</strong></p> <p>Indeed Mexico isn’t the only place where you’ll see a rabbit in the moon or hear the legend of the moon and the hare. The Chinese, Japanese, Maya, some residents of South American and Pacific Island cultures also see the famous hare.&#160; </p> <p>Here in Mexico the image is so common that there’s even a favorite saying about infrequent occurrences. Perhaps you think these things happen…once in a blue moon. In Mexico, It happens only once in a rabbit moon.</p> <p><strong>Apollo11’s Encounter with the Rabbit in the Moon</strong></p> <p>The moon rabbit was mentioned in the conversation between Houston and the Apollo 11 crew just before the first moon landing.&#160; </p> <p>Houston advised the astronauts: “Among the large headlines concerning Apollo this morning there's one asking that you watch for a lovely girl with a big rabbit. </p> <p>“An ancient legend says a beautiful Chinese girl called Chang-o has been living there for 4000 years. It seems she was banished to the moon because she stole the pill for immortality from her husband. </p> <p>“You might also look for her companion, a large Chinese rabbit, who is easy to spot since he is only standing on his hind feet in the shade of a cinnamon tree. The name of the rabbit is not recorded.</p> <p>Apollo 11 Member Collins replied, “Okay, we'll keep a close eye for the bunny girl.”</p> <p><strong>Look up to the Rabbit Moon</strong></p> <p>We’re not promising you’ll se a Chinese bunny girl, but it you look closely, we think that forever more when you cast your eyes up to the full moon, you’ll see that Mexican Rabbit Moon. </p> <p>Here are the upcoming full moon (Rabbit Moon) dates for the rest of 2010: </p> <p>May 27, June 26, July 26, August 24, September 23, October 23, November 21, December 21 </p>http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Looking-for-the-Rabbit-in-the-Moon.aspx
JudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Looking-for-the-Rabbit-in-the-Moon.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=348b7ea9-c9ed-4a71-acee-38503627c4e9Tue, 25 May 2010 20:40:56 -0500Customs, Traditions and HistoryFlora & Fauna, Climate & NatureMexican Folklore, Legends & SuperstitionsJudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/pingback.axdhttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=348b7ea9-c9ed-4a71-acee-38503627c4e9118http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/trackback.axd?id=348b7ea9-c9ed-4a71-acee-38503627c4e9http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Looking-for-the-Rabbit-in-the-Moon.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/syndication.axd?post=348b7ea9-c9ed-4a71-acee-38503627c4e9The First Rainbird!<p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=nets-with-clear-sky.jpg"><font size="2"><img title="nets-with-clear-sky" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="nets-with-clear-sky" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=nets-with-clear-sky_thumb.jpg" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></font></a><font size="2"> There’s cause for great celebration and joy here at Lake Chapala tonight. Join us in a loud and hearty, “Hurrah” a delighted, “Yippee!” and even perhaps we could raise a glass of tequila and <em>gritar</em> (cheer) a happy “Salud” to the first sounds of the ugly and pitiful rainbird. </font></p> <p>You see, it doesn’t rain here on the north shore of Mexico’s largest lake from the middle of September or early October until the&#160; rainy season begins on (or before) the June 13 feast day of St. Anthony of Padua, the patron of San Antonio Tlayacapan. The old wives tales here say that six weeks after we hear the first rainbird the first showers of the summer rainy season will begin to fall. </p> <p><font size="2">When it hasn’t rained in months, and the afternoon wind brings along a healthy wave of dust and sand, we eagerly await the awakening of the rain</font>birds and their&#160; message that rain is just around the corner – well ok, just a calendar page or two away.&#160; </p> <p>The large, local prehistoric-looking cicadas come out of their long hibernation and into lusty pre-maturity adolescence at this time of year, and begin their loud screechy, buzzing, and trilling mating calls. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=clouds-on-sr-garcia.jpg"><img title="clouds-on-sr-garcia" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 20px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="272" alt="clouds-on-sr-garcia" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=clouds-on-sr-garcia_thumb.jpg" width="338" align="left" border="0" /></a>The songs of love produced by our unlovely insect heralds of the coming rainy season increase in frequency, volume, and desperation as the weeks pass – they awaken with only one purpose, and it’s as if they know their reproductive clocks are ticking. They must complete their life cycle by laying the eggs for next year’s rainbirds&#160; before they drown in the first rains. </p> <p>Actually the human cries of anguish and displeasure also increase in frequency, volume, and desperation as the month of May wears on. This old wife thinks it must be a requirement of human nature to complain about the weather --&#160; no matter what. Although Lake Chapala is said to have one of the two best climates in the world, we still must, <em>simply must</em> complain about the weather. It just wouldn’t be right if we didn’t.&#160; </p> <p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=clouds-building.jpg"><img title="clouds-building" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="clouds-building" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=clouds-building_thumb.jpg" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a>&#160;<font size="2">SO, in May and early June, the hottest time of the year here on the shore of Mexico’s largest natural lake, we complain about the heat. Everything is relative, so if you are in Texas, you won’t be too sympathetic when we gripe about May’s afternoon highs of 80-90 (a few days we’ll hit 95 in the late afternoon) followed by overnight lows of 60-70.&#160; </font></p> <p><font size="2">Thankfully the humidity is extremely low at&#160; this time of year, usually below 30% and that means it’s drier here than in the Sahara Desert. That gives us that “dry heat” you hear folks in places like Arizona and Nevada talking about. Ah, it’s still hot and very few places and homes here have air conditioning.&#160; </font></p> <p>Once the rains begin, it’s pure heaven here. Mornings are cool and overcast, until the sun streams through and reveals a bright blue cloudless sky around 10 a.m. All through late June, July, August and sometimes September, the temperature warms during the day to around 75 to 80, and by late afternoon, dramatic grand thunderheads are building over the mountains that encircle the lake. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=rain-over-lake.jpg"><img title="rain-over-lake" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="238" alt="rain-over-lake" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=rain-over-lake_thumb.jpg" width="354" align="left" border="0" /></a> Sometimes we have a heavy shower around 7 or 8 p.m. Usually it waits until the middle of the night to let go with a dramatic thundering, banging and booming rainstorm punctuated by flashes of beautiful lightning. The temperature drops into the high 50s or low 60s for perfect sleeping. The next day we start all over again, in a world that has been washed fresh and clean. </p> <p>There are those who will tell you it only rains at night here. But in the manner of “telling it like it is,” we’ll tell you the straight scoop…it only rains at night until there is a tropical storm or hurricane skirting one of Mexico’s coasts. When one of those spinning systems hovers in one spot, it feeds that warm moist air over the mountains and into our area. Sometimes we have as many as two or three days of overcast skies in a row. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=double-rainbow.jpg"><img title="double-rainbow" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="double-rainbow" src="http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/image.axd?picture=double-rainbow_thumb.jpg" width="178" align="right" border="0" /></a> That’s when we who live here start into our own form of seasonal depression disorder. On the rare occasions when the clouds have lingered three or even four days, there’s been evidence of mass depression among the foreigners. Once we’ve become accustomed to one of the best climates on earth – the year-round beauty of eternal spring, we loose the ability to adapt to climatic change!</p> <p>If you want to check the accuracy of the rainbirds (or of the old wives) six weeks from tonight is June 7 – that would give us the rains a full week early this year…wouldn’t that be nice!</p> <p>Meanwhile, here’s another tip from those wise old wives. Watch for the clouds to settle down and obscure the top of Mount Garcia, the mountain on the south shore of the lake. Our Mexican friends and neighbors tell us that when “Sr. Garcia puts on his sombrero, rain is coming. (The second photo above shows el Senor and his sombrero.) </p> <p><strong>Welcome back Rainbirds! </strong></p>http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/The-First-Rainbird!.aspx
JudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/The-First-Rainbird!.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=189bbb85-0768-4b01-9a7d-06c6813ef75eMon, 26 Apr 2010 22:32:47 -0500Customs, Traditions and HistoryFlora & Fauna, Climate & NatureMexican Folklore, Legends & SuperstitionsJudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/pingback.axdhttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=189bbb85-0768-4b01-9a7d-06c6813ef75e100http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/trackback.axd?id=189bbb85-0768-4b01-9a7d-06c6813ef75ehttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/The-First-Rainbird!.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/syndication.axd?post=189bbb85-0768-4b01-9a7d-06c6813ef75eOutdoor Living is Lake Chapala’s Finest Feature<p><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=P6240573.jpg"><img title="P6240573" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 10px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="P6240573" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=P6240573_thumb.jpg" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> I<font size="2"> guess like folks anywhere, I occasionally start taking the beauty and comfort of living here for granted. Sometimes it just takes a little time with a newcomer or a visitor to remember how lucky we are to be able to have outdoor activities, all year around. . </font></p> <p><font size="2">When I watch the weather reports showing cars sliding over snow-covered roads in winter or folks sweltering in heat and humidity I’m reminded of how lucky we are to be here and I reclaim the joy of being outside – anytime I want. </font></p> <p><font size="2">Here at Lake Chapala we have the opportunity to enjoy so many activities outside—year round. I try to remember to take time each day for some quiet relaxation in my garden listening to the birds singing and checking on the progress of the plants, trees and flowers. </font></p> <p><font size="2">Take a look at some of the summer and winter outdoor activities we take for granted here in central Mexico. </font></p> <ul> <li><font size="2">Most fiestas, including birthday parties for the tiniest toddlers, are held outdoors in entertainment pavilions or gardens</font> </li> <li><font size="2">My attorney’s office has an outside waiting room with a bubbling fountain and benches in a shady nook. </font></li> <li><font size="2"><font size="2"><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=Liz%20mexican%20massage.jpg"><img title="Liz mexican massage" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="Liz mexican massage" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=Liz%20mexican%20massage_thumb.jpg" width="171" align="right" border="0" /></a></font>The cocktail areas for relaxing and chatting before concerts at the Auditorium and during intermissions at the Lakeside Little Theater are outdoor. The theater has small <i>chimineas</i> (clay wood burning fireplaces) to create an illusion of warmth for the cooler nights; a jacket or shawl is usually enough to keep us comfortable under the stars. </font></li> <li><font size="2">One of the village homes I lived in had no glass in the windows that faced the courtyard. The overhang protected us from rain and we just didn't use those rooms on the coldest days. </font></li> <li><font size="2">Most Lakeside restaurants have outdoor seating, or areas that are under a roof but have no side walls. Dining under the sprawling rubber tree at La Nueva Posada, in the colorful gardens at Pedro's, the upper story <em>palapa</em> at #4 or the semi-open areas at Ajijic Tango, or the lakefront patio of La Tasca, or the intimate, center of town space at The Secret Garden&#160; make lunch or dinner out a very special event. </font></li> <li><font size="2">Lectures, groups, activities, and events are held year round on the shady patio or under the roof of the kiosk at the Lake Chapala Society. </font></li> <li><font size="2">Wedding receptions and huge parties take place in outdoor pavilions like Ajijic's La Pista or La Huerta and Chapala’s Mama Chuy’s where breezes blow year round through shady areas. </font></li> <li><font size="2">Concerts are often produced outside, in town plazas, in the front atriums of local churches and in the <i>charro</i> rings. </font></li> <li><font size="2">Golfers. tennis players, and volley ball teams are on the courses and courts every day, year round. One avid golfer tells me that there are an average of five days a year when there is enough daytime rain to keep him away from his tee time. </font></li> <li><font size="2">Auto repair and body work is done almost always outside, as are upholstery and woodworking. </font></li> <li><font size="2">Every Monday in Chapala, every Tuesday in San Antonio and San Juan Cosalá, every Wednesday in Ajijic and every Thursday in Jocotepec the <i>tianguis</i> (open air markets) are held in the appointed village streets. </font></li> <li><font size="2">Older members of local families do a great deal of their socializing, even in the evenings, on the sidewalk in front of their homes. Insects are not even a reason to keep us inside. </font></li> <li><font size="2">The breezes are usually balmy during 11 months of our Lakeside year and then the streets come alive with street corner or wandering vendors selling tamales, steamed <i>guasanas</i> (green garbanzos), boiled or toasted peanuts, hot dogs, ice cream, tacos and other goodies. People here still take time to stroll, and to do some of their shopping and errands in the evenings. </font></li> </ul> <p><strong>Mexico Insights Outdoor Living Tips -- </strong></p> <p><font size="2"><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=DSC00224.jpg"><img title="DSC00224" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="DSC00224" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=DSC00224_thumb.jpg" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></font>With all of these activities and events, compounded by the time you’ll spend on your one terrace or patio, we spend much of our life in Mexico outside. With pleasant temperatures and sunny skies most days, foreigners may not remember that at this altitude and longitude, the sun has a great deal more power and we need to wear sunglasses and frequently apply sunscreen to protect our eyes and skin from UV damage and sunburn. </p> <p>When selecting a house to rent or buy, look for a home with a covered, south-facing terrace. Your furniture will be protected from the heavy summer nighttime rains, you’ll avoid the strong, hot sun’s rays in the hottest spring months, and have the benefit of the low, southern sun in the winter.&#160; </p> <p><strong>What about you? What do you enjoy most about outdoor <a href="http://mexico-insights.com" target="_blank">living at Lake Chapala</a>? What are you looking forward to doing here? What tips to you have about outdoor living for those exploring life here? Just click on comments below and leave us a message.</strong></p>http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Outdoor-Living-is-Lake-Chapalae28099s-Finest-Feature.aspx
JudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Outdoor-Living-is-Lake-Chapalae28099s-Finest-Feature.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=c78976aa-9d83-4408-b756-8520891e5759Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:41:48 -0500Books, Activities, Events & What People Do All DayHomes & Gardens, Rentals & LodgingCosts, Shopping & MarketsMexico Kitchen - Recipes, Foods & RestaurantsFlora & Fauna, Climate & NatureJudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/pingback.axdhttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=c78976aa-9d83-4408-b756-8520891e575951http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/trackback.axd?id=c78976aa-9d83-4408-b756-8520891e5759http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Outdoor-Living-is-Lake-Chapalae28099s-Finest-Feature.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/syndication.axd?post=c78976aa-9d83-4408-b756-8520891e5759Spring Flowers – Part 3: Jacaranda and Orchid Trees<p><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=jacarandasorchidtrees.jpg"><img title="jacarandas-orchid-trees" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 15px; border-right-width: 0px" height="309" alt="jacarandas-orchid-trees" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=jacarandasorchidtrees_thumb.jpg" width="219" align="right" border="0" /></a> Spring has sprung here at Lake Chapala and there are trees covered with pastel flowers blooming all through the area. </p> <p>While most visitors to Lakeside are convinced that the area is blessed nearly perfect spring-like weather all year round, those who live here come to realize that there are four distinct seasons, each with its own array of blooming trees, vines, shrubs and flowers.</p> <p>Last week in&#160; <a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/post/Spring-Flowers-e28093-Part-2.aspx"><strong>Spring Flowers – Part 2</strong></a> we featured the earliest flowering spring trees, the yellow and pink <em>primaveras</em>, the shaving brush tree and the powder puff tree. </p> <p>This week, ah this week the lacy purple <em>jacaranda </em>trees have come into full bloom. While these flowers throw much of the population into fits of allergies, I think that the incredible periwinkle-lavender blue color is well worth the sneezing, itchy eyes and post nasal drip. </p> <p><strong>Jacarandas in Barbara Kingsolver’s new novel</strong></p> <p>In New York Times best-selling American novelist Barbara Kingsolver’s new novel set in Mexico, <em>The Lacuna</em>, she describes the blooming jacarandas in Mexico City:</p> <blockquote> <p>The jacaranda in the courtyard has put on its bloom. This purple can’t be ignored, it’s like a tree singing. The walk down Londres Street to the market is a concert: the small jacaranda on the corner hums the tuning note, then all others in the lane join in. Even Perpetua has a light in her eye, holding one hand to her flat old bosom as she takes the cucumbers out of the market basket, one by one. </p> <p>From Lev’s study, the view from the end window is a solid blaze of purple. Van sits there to take dictation from the Ediphone, with his square profile framed against the window like Poseidon in a purple sea. Or some Teutonic god who causes all the touches, and the air itself, to burst into purple flames. </p> </blockquote> <p><b><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=jacaranda-flowers.jpg"><img title="jacaranda-flowers" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 100px; border-right-width: 0px" height="267" alt="jacaranda-flowers" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=jacaranda-flowers_thumb.jpg" width="181" border="0" /></a>&#160; <a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=jacarandaschulavista.jpg"><img title="jacarandas--chula-vista" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; border-right-width: 0px" height="265" alt="jacarandas--chula-vista" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=jacarandaschulavista_thumb.jpg" width="187" border="0" /></a></b></p> <p><b>The Color Purple</b></p> <p>The shower of purple blossoms that drift with the breeze onto streets and lawns reminds me of the line from The Color Purple: “I think it pissed God off when you walk by the color purple in a field and don’t notice it.”</p> <p>How could you walk past blooming jacarandas and not notice. </p> <p>Just as amazing to me are the folks who are upset because the trees are dropping flowers on their sidewalks. They complain endlessly about <em>the garbage</em>, <em>the mess</em> and <em>the bother. </em>in my world how can beautiful purple flowers be a mess or a bother? </p> <p><b><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=jacaranda-la-floresta.jpg"><img title="jacaranda-la-floresta" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 50px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="jacaranda-la-floresta" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=jacaranda-la-floresta_thumb.jpg" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=jacaranda-hillside.jpg"><img title="jacaranda-hillside" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 45px; border-right-width: 0px" height="182" alt="jacaranda-hillside" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=jacaranda-hillside_thumb.jpg" width="244" border="0" /></a> </b></p> <p><b>Jacaranda</b> <br />Common name: fern tree, jacaranda. <br />Spanish: <i>framboyán azul</i> or <i>jacarandá <br /></i>Botanical: <i>jacaranda acutifolia</i></p> <p>There are nearly 50 species of jacarandas in the Western Hemisphere but it is difficult to believe that any could be more beautiful than the large delicate trees of Lake Chapala. The flowers bloom on the bare branches and after the flowers have drifted to the ground, the fern-like leaves appear.</p> <p>When the tiny, violet, bluebell-shaped flowers fall from the tree, an equally beautiful, lavender carpet of petals is formed on the ground. The bark and fern-like leaves of the <i>caroba,</i> as it is known in Brazil, are sometimes used for their curative powers. Walking through the purple carpets on the sidewalks and streets of La Floresta and many other areas of Lakeside will cure most any ailment or mood, unless you are one of the unfortunate people who are allergic to the trees' pollen.</p> <p><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=orchid-tree---highway.jpg"><img title="orchid-tree---highway" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 90px; border-right-width: 0px" height="262" alt="orchid-tree---highway" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=orchid-tree---highway_thumb.jpg" width="181" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=orchid-trees-highway-2.jpg"><img title="orchid-trees-highway-2" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 70px; border-right-width: 0px" height="261" alt="orchid-trees-highway-2" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=orchid-trees-highway-2_thumb.jpg" width="185" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><b>Orchid Trees <br /></b>Common names: <i>casco de buey</i> (ox hoof)<i>,</i> Brazilian butterfly flower tree <br />Spanish: <i>palo de orchideas</i> (branch of orchids) or <i>urape <br /></i>Botanical: <i>Bauhinia monandra <br />Bauhinia variegate</i> is the lavender variety, also called Mountain Ebony. <br /><i>Bauhinia binata</i> is the white flowering version.</p> <p>In springtime at Lake Chapala there are at least two different local trees that are called <i>arboles de orquidias</i> (orchid trees) by our Mexican neighbors. Both are covered with pastel orchid-shaped flowers, but they are totally different trees.</p> <p>The flowers of the ox hoof tree are usually pink, splotched with deeper rose-mauve. Here at Lakeside, we've also seen trees with lavender or white orchid-like blossoms. All of the colors are splotched with a darker color and the leaves are an elongated heart shape, rather like the shape of the hoof of the ox, and that explains the common Spanish name.</p> <p><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=orchidtreeflowers.jpg"><img title="orchid-tree-flowers" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 45px; border-right-width: 0px" height="194" alt="orchid-tree-flowers" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=orchidtreeflowers_thumb.jpg" width="264" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=orchidtreeclose.jpg"><img title="orchid-tree-close" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border-right-width: 0px" height="195" alt="orchid-tree-close" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=orchidtreeclose_thumb.jpg" width="263" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Watch for <strong>Spring Flowers – Part 4</strong> next week when we are back with a trip to the nursery to see the spring plants!</p>http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Spring-Flowers-e28093-Part-3-Jacaranda-and-Orchid-Trees.aspx
JudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Spring-Flowers-e28093-Part-3-Jacaranda-and-Orchid-Trees.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=dae51f25-1b49-4200-82c9-afb22403939aMon, 22 Mar 2010 15:21:47 -0500Flora & Fauna, Climate & NaturePeople, Places & Things of Lake ChapalaJudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/pingback.axdhttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=dae51f25-1b49-4200-82c9-afb22403939a87http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/trackback.axd?id=dae51f25-1b49-4200-82c9-afb22403939ahttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Spring-Flowers-e28093-Part-3-Jacaranda-and-Orchid-Trees.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/syndication.axd?post=dae51f25-1b49-4200-82c9-afb22403939aKindergartens Celebrating Spring<p><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-princess.jpg"><img title="spring-princess" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="268" alt="spring-princess" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-princess_thumb.jpg" width="402" align="left" border="0" /></a> Welcome Sweet Springtime – even in semitropical central Mexico we’re happy to greet the warmer days and blooming flowers. Is there anything more delightful, restoring, and invigorating than the smells, sights and sounds of spring. </p> <p>Here at Lake Chapala, the trees are blooming, the butterflies are floating through the garden and the bees are busily buzzing through the flowers of the avocado and mango trees. </p> <p>Still, the most colorful and delightful spring sight at Lakeside this time of year are the glimpses we catch of the kindergarten (preschool) children dressed as bees, lady bugs, flowers, trees and baby animals for the annual school Springtime pageants.&#160; </p> <p><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-puppy.jpg"><img title="spring-puppy" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="spring-puppy" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-puppy_thumb.jpg" width="267" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-flowers.jpg"><img title="spring-flowers" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="192" alt="spring-flowers" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-flowers_thumb.jpg" width="285" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Weeks before the first day of spring, the children are learning their parts for the pageant, mothers are hunched over sewing machines, borrowing costumes from older neighbor children or shopping for precious costumes.</p> <p>The outfits shown above were featured in a large display at the local WalMart this spring. Those at left are animal jackets. With a pair of tights they’re perfect. The flower dresses, with all their petals are at right. We spotted the outfits below in a downtown Guadalajara shop several years ago. Can’t you just picture those sweet little faces in the middle of those flowers?</p> <p><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-flower-faces.jpg"><img title="spring-flower-faces" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="181" alt="spring-flower-faces" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-flower-faces_thumb.jpg" width="266" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-costumes.jpg"><img title="spring-costumes" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 35px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="181" alt="spring-costumes" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-costumes_thumb.jpg" width="281" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Still, while these costumes are cute on the rack and in the displays, they’re nothing until donned by area children. Here are some of the kids I’ve spotted in springtime parades around San Juan Cosalá and walking to school past my home. </p> <p>&#160;<a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-tree-and-butterfly.jpg"><img title="spring-tree-and-butterfly" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="275" alt="spring-tree-and-butterfly" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-tree-and-butterfly_thumb.jpg" width="184" border="0" /></a><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-corn-duck-chick.jpg"><img title="spring-corn-duck-chick" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="spring-corn-duck-chick" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-corn-duck-chick_thumb.jpg" width="187" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-rabbit-and-lion.jpg"><img title="spring-rabbit-and-lion" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="275" alt="spring-rabbit-and-lion" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=spring-rabbit-and-lion_thumb.jpg" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Life is always good at Lake Chapala, but when these little spring creatures take to the streets, everyone has a smile on their faces. In the left photo above, the children from left to right are dresses as spring grass, a jacaranda tree with it’s purple flowers and a hot pink butterfly. The duckling and chick in the center picture are precious, but isn’t that a fabulous ear of corn? His red hair just adds to the feeling of corn silk. The children at right represent a bunny, baby leopard and small lion. </p> <p>What could better welcome to spring could you possibly imagine these pageants and parades? </p>http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Kindergartens-Celebrating-Spring.aspx
JudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Kindergartens-Celebrating-Spring.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=93dec1ef-dec6-4983-8783-f0c2e05c9f13Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:57:00 -0500Family Traditions & Events, Machismo & Kids Mexican Fiestas & Holidays, Music & DanceFlora & Fauna, Climate & NatureJudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/pingback.axdhttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=93dec1ef-dec6-4983-8783-f0c2e05c9f1324http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/trackback.axd?id=93dec1ef-dec6-4983-8783-f0c2e05c9f13http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Kindergartens-Celebrating-Spring.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/syndication.axd?post=93dec1ef-dec6-4983-8783-f0c2e05c9f13Spring Flowers – Part 2<p><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=primavera-sky_1.jpg"><img title="primavera-sky" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="220" alt="primavera-sky" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=primavera-sky_thumb_1.jpg" width="275" align="right" border="0" /></a> Most visitors to Mexico are convinced that our &quot;second-best climate in the world&quot; consists of a single, nearly perfect season. Once we've spent a few years basking in the eternal spring-like temperatures, we come to realize that even here at Lake Chapala, we have four distinct seasons, each marked with different blooming trees, shrubs, vines and plants.</p> <p>One of the earliest harbingers of spring here on Mexico’s central highlands are the wealth of pastel flowering trees. This week we look at two of the earliest bloomers – the tree named for the season, the Primavera (spring) and the delightfully nicknamed “shaving brush” tree. </p> <p><b><font size="3">Primavera <br /></font></b>Common name: yellow poui <br />Spanish: <i>primavera <br /></i>Botanical:<i>tabebula serratifolia</i></p> <p>The yellow flowering <i>primavera</i>&#160; is one of the largest and strongest of the tropical forest trees. The wood is very hard and very dense, sometimes used for fences or railroad ties – it’s that resistant to disease and insects. </p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=primavera-highway.jpg"><img title="primavera-highway" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 80px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="266" alt="primavera-highway" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=primavera-highway_thumb.jpg" width="183" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=primavera-plaza.jpg"><img title="primavera-plaza" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 50px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="264" alt="primavera-plaza" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=primavera-plaza_thumb.jpg" width="197" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The masses of yellow flowers completely smother the bare branches of the tree in the spring – bet you didn’t know that many trees in Mexico lose their leaves, just not in Fall. As the flowers fade and fall, the leaves appear and later disk-shaped seedpods hang from the branches. </p> <p>This tree is popular in Brazil and in Venezuela where it is the national flower and announces the coming of the rainy season. </p> <p><strong><font size="3">Pink Primavera</font></strong> </p> <p>There’s also delicate pale pink variety of this tree at Lakeside. You’ll see one just behind the wall at a property across 16 de Septiembre from the Lake Chapala Society. </p> <p><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=primavera-hill.jpg"><img title="primavera-hill" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 75px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="279" alt="primavera-hill" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=primavera-hill_thumb.jpg" width="191" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=Pink-primavera.jpg"><img title="Pink-primavera" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 60px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="280" alt="Pink-primavera" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=Pink-primavera_thumb.jpg" width="191" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font size="3"><b>Shaving Brush Tree</b> <br /></font>Common name: Cotton tree, bombax <br />Spanish<i>: clavellena or palo de lana</i> (wool branch) <br />Botanical: <i>bombax ellipticum</i></p> <p>Some of the trees in this family yield balsa wood, kapok, fiber, gum and medicine, but the value for us at Lakeside is the beauty and curiosity of the breathtaking spiky pink flowers which spring from the tips of the bare branches like the plumes on band uniform hats. </p> <p><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=brush-wall.jpg"><img title="brush-wall" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 80px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="264" alt="brush-wall" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=brush-wall_thumb.jpg" width="209" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=brush-closewall.jpg"><img title="brush-closewall" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 50px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="264" alt="brush-closewall" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=brush-closewall_thumb.jpg" width="204" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>As the upright bud pod opens, it splits into five parts, curling back under the 5” pink spiky stamens. There is a <i>clavellena</i> overhanging the wall at the northern edge of La Nueva Posada's building and others in the gardens bordering the lakeside park in southern Ajijic.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=shaving-brush.jpg"><img title="shaving-brush" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="189" alt="shaving-brush" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=shaving-brush_thumb.jpg" width="268" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=powder-puff.jpg"><img title="powder-puff" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="188" alt="powder-puff" src="http://judysblog.mexico-insights.com/image.axd?picture=powder-puff_thumb.jpg" width="287" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><b><font size="3">Powder Puff Tree <br /></font></b>Common name: calliandra, mimosa, redhead. <br />Spanish: g<i>ranolino</i> or <i>calliandra <br /></i>Botanical: <i>calliandra inaequilatera</i></p> <p>Harder to spot, buy even more striking is the <em>calliandra </em>or “powder puff”&#160; tree. The blooms of the <i>calliandra</i> are a lot like the shaving brush tree, but the <i>calliandra</i> blooms while there are leaves on the tree, and berry-like green to red buds of future puffs are evenly spaced along the branches. The 3” round red “ponpoms&quot; are made up of long silky stamens.</p> <p>Native to Bolivia, the small tree is a member of the mimosa family. In Hawaii, the trees are believed to be sacred to Pele, the goddess of volcanoes, and the flowers are used to make feathery leis. </p> <p>The tree featured in this photo is growing in the central gardens of the restaurant, Santo Coyote, in Guadalajara.</p>http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Spring-Flowers-e28093-Part-2.aspx
JudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Spring-Flowers-e28093-Part-2.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=e471dbc4-7518-411d-bd6b-facb5623d45fSun, 14 Mar 2010 14:24:24 -0500Flora & Fauna, Climate & NaturePeople, Places & Things of Lake ChapalaJudyKinghttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/pingback.axdhttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post.aspx?id=e471dbc4-7518-411d-bd6b-facb5623d45f29http://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/trackback.axd?id=e471dbc4-7518-411d-bd6b-facb5623d45fhttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/post/Spring-Flowers-e28093-Part-2.aspx#commenthttp://www.mexico-insights.com/judysblog/syndication.axd?post=e471dbc4-7518-411d-bd6b-facb5623d45f